Rotating biological contactor apparatus

ABSTRACT

A water treatment apparatus comprising a tank, a shaft mounted for rotation in said tank, means for rotating said shaft and a plurality of frame assemblies. The shaft has a plurality of rows of bayonette lugs. Each frame assembly is adapted to be secured to a separate row of lugs, and is adapted to mount contactor media thereon. Means for securing each frame assembly to a separate row of lugs is provided.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 291,723 filed Aug. 10,1981, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,444,658.

This invention relates to an apparatus for biological purification ofwater and, in particular, to an apparatus which provides for convenientreplacement of its contactor media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Biological treatment of waste water involves the use of apparatus havingrotating contactor media which provides surface area for the deposit ofwaste or biological slimes thereon. Due to prolonged use or damage fromexternal forces, the contactor media, or portions thereof, may need tobe replaced.

Heretofore, efficient and effective replacement of contactor media,especially only a portion thereof, has not been provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus which permitsreplacement of its contactor media.

It is another object of this invention to provide an apparatus whichpermits replacement of only a portion of its contactor media.

It is still another object of this invention to provide an apparatuswhich permits efficient and relatively inexpensive replacement of all ora portion of its contactor media.

These and other objects of this invention are provided for by a watertreatment apparatus comprising a treatment tank, a shaft mounted forrotation in said tank, means for rotating the shaft and a plurality offrame assemblies. The shaft has a plurality of rows of bayonette lugs.Each frame assembly is adapted to be secured to a separate row ofbayonette lugs, and is adapted to mount contactor media thereon. Meansfor securing each frame assembly to a separate row of bayonette lugs isprovided whereby rotation of said shaft results in rotation of thecontactor media and the gradual deposit of slime on the media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a portion of themedia removed;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the shaft with an end frame ofthe apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an inner frame of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with a portionof the media, an end frame and several of the inner frames removed;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of an end frame of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the semi-circular segment of media ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the semi-circularsegment of media of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along 9--9 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 9.

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, awater treatment apparatus, generally represented by reference numeral10, includes tank 11 having bottom 12 and walls 14 with bearings 16secured thereto. Supported in bearings 16 and extending axially acrosstank 11 is shaft 20. Contactor media is positioned on shaft 20, isseparated into discrete sections or media packs 30 via a number ofremovable spider-like inner frames 40, and is axially bounded by a pairof removable spider-like end frames 42. Waste water is introduced into,and treated water is withdrawn from, tank 11 via ports, not shown. Shaft20 and associated media packs 30 are rotated via a motor, also notshown.

Referring to FIG. 3, shaft 20 is a tubular metal shaft having aplurality of circumferential rows 22 of spaced apart radially projectingor bayonette lugs 24. Each lug 24 has, preferably, a pair of holes 25axially therethrough.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each removable spider-like frame, whether itbe an inner frame 40 or an end frame 42, is basically composed of collar60, a plurality of spokes 70 connected to and radially disposed from thecollar, a plurality of outer supports 80 with each support connecting adifferent pair of adjacent spokes, and a plurality of tubes 90 with eachtube axially projecting from a different spoke.

Collar 60 is a hollow circular plate having circumferential innersurface 62, and having two circular rows 66, 67 of holes. Inner surface62 is adapted to fit about shaft 20, and has a number of recesses 64which, when collar 60 is positioned on the shaft, define with the shaftaxial flow passages 65. Each of the rows 66, 67 consists of a pluralityof spaced-apart pairs of holes, with a pair of one row radially alignedwith a pair of the other row to form a set 69 of four holes. Each set 69is disposed between different adjacent recesses 64 forming analternating recess-set pattern.

Each spoke 70 is a relatively long, flat bar with two large diameterholes 76 therethrough and with a pair of holes 72 at one end and fourholes in a set 74 at the other end. The holes of each set 74 are adaptedto axially align with the holes of a separate set 69 of collar 60;furthermore, each pair of holes in row 66 of collar 60 is also adaptedto axially align with a different pair of holes 25 in a circumferentialrow 22 of lugs 24. First means, such as a series of threadablyengageable bolt and nut combinations, secures via connecting the axiallyaligned holes, each spoke 70 to collar 60 and the collar to the onecircumferential row 22 of lugs 24.

Each outer support 80 is a relatively flat bar having a hole 82therethrough at each end. Each outer support 80 is adapted to connecttwo adjacent spokes 70, via each hole 82 aligning with one of the pairof holes 72 of a different spoke 70. The outer support and spokes aresecured together via second means, such as a series of threadablyengageable bolt and nut combinations.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, each circular tube 90, which is adapted tosupport one media pack 30, is connected to one end of a spoke 70 and isaxially disposed therefrom. Tube 90 is, preferably, threadedly engagedto hole 96 of block 95, which block is affixed to spoke 70. Thispreferred connection provides easy disassembly of the tube from thespoke and, more importantly, enhances strength at the connection of thetube to the spoke.

Clearly, inner frame 40 will disassemble and collar 60 will be releasedfrom lugs 24 via removing the first and second means.

Referring to FIG. 6, each end frame 42 is, basically, an inner framehaving a number of inner supports 85 and a pair of tee supports 38. Eachtee supports 38 is a relatively long, flat member having on one surfacea lengthwise radial projection 39 which is adapted to be positionedbetween the two semi-circular or 180° segments 32 of a media pack 30located adjacent the end frame. Projection 39 supports the pack bypreventing the curling of the edges of the mated discs which comprisethe media pack. Each tee support 38 is connected to and radiallydisposed from collar 60, and is also connected to a separate outersupport 80. The connections are effected by the tee support and collar,and the tee support and outer support having aligned holes which receivethreadably engageable nut and bolt combinations.

Inner support 85 is, basically, a shorter outer support 80. Each innersupport 85 removably connects a different pair of adjacent spokes 70,except the pairs of adjacent spokes which straddle the tee supports 38,at their centermost portion thereby reinforcing end frame 42.

Details of the mated discs, which comprise media packs 30, are disclosedin co-pending patent application Ser. No. 241,794, filed Mar. 9, 1981,now U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,997 issued Aug. 24, 1982. for MEDIA by WilliamK. McConnell, Jr. and Charles M. Campbell.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, each pack 30 consists of two semi-circularsegments 32, with each segment having three radially disposed rows 36a,36b, 36c of axial holes therethrough. The corresponding holes in eachrow form set 37, with the holes of a set 37 disposed in alignment withholes 76 and block 95 of a spoke 70, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 9.

Referring to FIG. 8, each segment 32 is, preferably, apportioned viawebs 33 into three integral 60° or pie segments 34a, 34b, 34c, with aset 37 located in each pie segment.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a plurality of hollow tie rods or pipes 45serve to join the discs of a media pack 30 by disposing one pipe in eachaxial hole in rows 36a and 36b of each media pack. In unassembledcondition, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the discs of a media pack 30 areprevented from sliding off pipe 45 via a lock washer or retainer 48secured about the pipe.

For enhanced structural rigidity, pin 47, which is disposed through ahole 76 of spoke 70, connects corresponding pipes 45 of adjacent mediapacks. Pin 47 is held in position via rivets 49 which pass radiallythrough each pipe 45 preventing pin 47 from axially shifting.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, every axial hole of row 36c is adapted toreceive therein one tube 90. Tube 90 is substantially the same length aspipe 45. Tube 90, which is threadably secured in block 95 of one spoke70, is also threadably secured in the hole in block 97 which is securedto an adjacent spoke 70.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, to remove from the apparatus, the media pack30 adjacent an end frame 42, the first and second means of the end frameare removed thereby permitting spokes 70, outer supports 80 and teesupports 38 to be disassembled and removed and collar 60 to slide freelyon shaft 20. The two semi-circular sections 32 of media pack 30 are thenpermitted to move axially off tube 90 of adjacent inner frame 40.

If the media pack 30 to be removed is positioned between any two innerframes 40, the above method of disassembly is repeated for the end frameand any inner frame until the media pack to be removed is reached.

Although certain embodiments have been described and illustrated,modification may be made herein, as by adding, combining or subdividingparts or by substituting equivalents while retaining advantages andbenefits of the invention, which itself is defined in the followingclaims.

We claim:
 1. A biological water treatment apparatus, comprising:a tank;a shaft mounted for rotation in said tank and having a plurality ofcircumferential rows of bayonette lugs; a plurality of contactor mediapacks; a plurality of frames each supporting a separate one of saidplurality of contactor media packs thereon, each frame including acircular collar adapted to fit about said shaft and to be removablysecured to one of said plurality of circumferential rows of bayonettelugs, each collar having an inner surface with a plurality of recessessubstantially uniformly positioned in the inner surface, wherein therecesses of the collar and said shaft define flow passages along theshaft when a collar is secured to said shaft to provide for therelatively uniform flow of air therethrough; and first means forsecuring each collar to the respective one row of bayonnette lugs. 2.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each contactor media pack comprises twosemi-circular sections.